Seattle actually played a solid game at even strength, but special teams and early defensive lapses put them in a hole they couldn't climb out of. The Wild struck first on a power-play goal from Vinnie Hinostroza before Adam Larsson answered back for the Kraken to tie it at 1-1. However, Minnesota’s Jared Spurgeon gave his team the lead before the period ended, and two more goals in the second—one from Frederick Gaudreau and another from Mats Zuccarello—put Seattle down 4-1.
Despite the deficit, the Kraken pushed back hard in the latter half of the second period. Shane Wright cashed in on a power play goal for his 14th of the season, and with just 12 seconds left in the period, Brandon Montour sniped one home to bring Seattle within one. Unfortunately, they couldn’t capitalize on their momentum in the third, and Minnesota held on for the 4-3 victory.
A rough night for Daccord
One of the biggest storylines in this game was Joey Daccord, who has been the anchor of this Kraken team all season but has struggled to find consistency since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break. After being pulled in the second period against St. Louis, Daccord has now allowed four or more goals in two of his last three games, including this one, where he stopped just 16 of 20 shots.
Daccord’s overall numbers on the season remain strong, but this recent stretch is reminiscent of last season, when his numbers declined after the All-Star break. Last year, he posted a stellar 2.32 GAA and .921 SV% before the break, but those numbers dipped to a 2.78 GAA and .903 SV% in the second half. This year, through four games post-break, his 3.77 GAA and .869 SV% stand out as concerning trends, even in a small sample size.
Could this be a sign that Daccord is shouldering too heavy of a workload? He’s played in nearly every game for Seattle since he came back from his injury, and while his talent is undeniable, managing his minutes down the stretch may become a priority for the Kraken if they want to keep him fresh for the long haul.
Yanni Gourde returns ahead of trade deadline
Another notable storyline from this game was the return of Yanni Gourde, who had been out of the lineup since early January. While Gourde didn’t find the back of the net himself, he did contribute an assist on Brandon Montour’s goal late in the second period, helping the Kraken cut the deficit to one.
Gourde’s return also comes at an interesting time, as the NHL trade deadline looms this Friday. With the Kraken sitting outside the playoff picture, there’s growing speculation that the team could move some of its veterans, and Gourde is a prime candidate. His leadership, defensive ability, and Stanley Cup experience make him an attractive piece for contenders looking to bolster their forward depth. Whether or not he gets dealt remains to be seen, but his return to the ice just days before the deadline certainly raises eyebrows.
Moving forward
While this game showcased Seattle’s resilience, it also highlighted some areas of concern. Daccord’s recent struggles, the Kraken’s inconsistency in defending early in games, and their ongoing power play inefficiency continue to be recurring issues.
Seattle will now head on the road to face the Nashville Predators on Thursday night, looking to get back in the win column and give Daccord some much-needed support in front of him. With the postseason out of reach, these next few weeks could be critical for determining how the team manages its goaltending workload and builds toward next season.